SPRING 2022

Welcome From the Director


Greetings form Silver Club!


The worst of the winter weather is (hopefully) behind us, as we look forward to warmer and longer days!


This spring we have a lot to be excited about, including a brand-new art exhibition at the University of Michigan hospital. Danni O’Brien (Silver Club Activity Therapist) came up with the creative idea to make robots out of recycled materials. It has been wonderful to see our members make their own unique robots and to create names and backstories as well! I challenge you to read the backstories and NOT smile.


We also are anxiously awaiting Big Hearted Stories: Journeys on May 17 from 7:00-9:00pm - the first in person Big Hearts for Seniors event since 2019! See event details below!


Sincerely,


Shannon Etcheverry, LMSW

Director, Silver Club Memory Programs 

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Big Hearted Stories: Journeys

May 17 

Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre and Michigan League

911 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI


5:30pm VIP Reception

6:00pm General Admission/Silent Auction Viewing

7:00pm Performance

Big Hearts for Seniors (BHS) benefits Silver Club and four other Michigan Medicine community programs (Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels, Housing Bureau for Seniors, Osher Lifelong learning Institute and Turner Senior Wellness Program) that serve older adults. Please join us for an evening of storytelling - you also don’t want to miss the silent auction which opens online May 10!


This engaging program will provide a platform for talented local storytellers to share their heart-warming, true-life experiences around the theme of ‘Journeys’. The event will feature emcee and storyteller Dr. Vic Strecher, Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education in the U-M School of Public Health. Tickets ($25 Individual, $75 VIP which includes complimentary parking/VIP reception) are available now on our website!


Marc Holland, who is one of our featured storytellers, shared the following about this story that resonates with me, “When we see someone on stage that reminds us of ourselves, going through the same things we are going through, the world becomes a little bit smaller and a little less scary. You know you’re not alone. People who can laugh at themselves are invariably healthier in body and mind.”


Questions about event details or individual tickets?

Contact Lori Hirshman - (734) 709-1494   |   hirshmal@umich.edu

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets

Recent Activities!

Elderberry Cards


The women of Elderberry made beautiful homemade cards for Afghani refugee women who are currently in Washtenaw County.

Circle Painting


Members of the Adult Day Enrichment Program made art inspired by Alma Woodsey Thomas.

Mardi Gras Mask Making


At Silver Club, we never miss an opportunity to have a party! We celebrated Mardi Gras with mask making and beads!

Robots Among Us: Mixed Media

Gifts of Art Taubman North Exhibit Gallery


The robots are on display in-person at Michigan Medicine University Hospital from March 14 – June 3 in the Gifts of Art Gallery - Taubman Health Center North Lobby, Fl. 1, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. The display is open daily from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

Members of Michigan Medicine’s Silver Club Memory Programs created an art exhibit displaying robots constructed out of recycled elements. The members of the Elderberry Club (Women with Mild Memory Loss) and the Adult Day Enrichment Program (Adult Day Program/Moderate Dementia) all have a diagnosis of dementia and are living their best lives creatively. Each member crafted and built their own robot, complete with a description and biography. Silver Club staff member Daniele O’Brien who facilitated the project, stated that “as the members worked on their robots, they became invested in the process and put so much of themselves into each one.”

Hallie Butterer who is a student intern from the University of Michigan School of Social Work shared, “you can tell who made each robot because they’re all so unique and reflect everyone’s personality!” The exhibit combined creativity in all forms: painting, assembling, problem-solving, and creative writing.


“Thinking outside of the box is a wonderful exercise for our members. Each aspect of the process takes focus and enhances their connection and benefits their cognitive process,” said O’Brien. She explains that because of early pandemic restrictions, Silver Club staff stayed connected with club members via Zoom and were only using products on-hand at home for art supplies. O’Brien then started collecting recycled goods, found inspirations on art blogs and from other staff members, and the robot project was born. She added that “one of our members always says ‘some people look at something and ask what is it? I ask, what can it be?’ That is a great inspiration for this project.”


An online showcase and walk-through video are available.

The Art and Science of Successful Aging

Join us each month for a new topic that includes multiple lectures on each monthly theme.  

May 2022

Cultivating Resilience in Today's World

View the Brochure 

Partner With Us


Every day, the researchers, clinicians, and professionals at Michigan Medicine are optimistic that the work done here will make a difference for your family and people everywhere.

 

Our Geriatrics Center Social Work and Community Programs team offers wide-ranging support and services, not only to our clinic patients and their families, but to our community’s older adults. We have long believed that good health for older adults must be broad in scope, addressing one’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.

Because of you, we are ensuring enriching educational opportunities and community programs for older adults. You can support programming such as:


  • Silver Club: Gifts to the Silver Club fund art projects, music therapy, and field trips (when safe) for participants with mild to moderate memory loss. Gifts from friends like you allow us to use a sliding-fee scale so that each family pays what they can afford.

 

  • The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)  offers lecture series, study groups, online meetup Commons Events, OLLI Reads, special events, and Evening and Out of Town events. Currently OLLI is offering all events virtually on a broad range of topics.

 

  • The Turner Senior Wellness Program provides high-quality, low-cost programs and resources that include healthy living presentations, exercise classes, healthful cooking demonstrations, a Senior Nutrition Program, and blood pressure screening. We also offer Medicare counseling, assistance with advance directives, support groups, and social and cultural activities.

 

We greatly appreciate your partnership.

Make a Gift

Silver Club Memory Programs

2401 Plymouth Road, Suite C

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

(734) 998-9352

email: GerMedSilverClub@umich.edu

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